Supporting frame foldable multiple times

ABSTRACT

A foldable supporting frame includes a first frame set, a second frame set, and a first link at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame to pivotally connect the first frame set with the second frame set. Each of the first and second frame sets includes a first frame unit, a second frame unit, and a second link at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame to pivotally connect the first frame unit with the second frame unit. The first link allows the first and second frame sets to fold and unfold with respect to each other, and the second link allows the first and second frame units to fold and unfold with respect to each other. As a result, the supporting frame can be folded at least three times and has a much smaller folded size.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of Chinese Utility ModelApplication CN 201621180263.6 filed Oct. 27, 2016, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to foldable supporting frames,and more particularly, to foldable supporting frames that can be foldedmultiple times.

BACKGROUND

A typical foldable supporting frame is made of two frame sets, eachhaving an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper and lower frames ofthe two frame sets are pivotally connected to each other. An example ofsuch a supporting frame is disclosed in Chinese Utility ModelApplication CN 201520220950.5, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein for all purposes by reference. Such a supporting frame can befolded only once. The resulted folded length is approximately a half ofthe full length when the supporting frame is unfolded. As such, thesupporting frame when folded is not compact, and accordingly it isinconvenient for handling, packaging, storage, shipping andtransportation.

Given the current state of the art, there remains a need in the art forsupporting frames configured for convenient handling, packaging,storing, shipping and transporting.

The information disclosed in this Background section is provided for anunderstanding of the general background of the invention and is not anacknowledgement or suggestion that this information forms part of theprior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides supporting frames configured forconvenient handling, packaging, storing, shipping and transporting. Thesupporting frames of the present invention can be folded at least threetimes, resulting in folded sizes much smaller than current foldingframes.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a foldablesupporting frame including a first frame set, a second frame set, and afirst link at each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame to pivotally connect the first frame set with thesecond frame set. The first link allows the first and second frame setsto fold and unfold with respect to each other. Each of the first andsecond frame sets includes a first frame unit, a second frame unit, anda second link at each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame to pivotally connect the first frame unit with thesecond frame unit. The second link allows the first and second frameunits to fold and unfold with respect to each other. In an exemplaryembodiment, the first and second frame sets are substantially the sameand disposed symmetrically with respect to each other.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first frame unit includes a firstupper frame, a first lower frame, and a first plurality of supports. Thefirst upper frame includes a first upper peripheral longitudinal bar ateach of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame. Thefirst lower frame includes a first lower peripheral longitudinal bar ateach of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame. Eachsupport in the first plurality of supports is disposed between andpivotally connected to the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar ofthe first upper frame and the first lower peripheral longitudinal bar ofthe first lower frame. The second frame unit includes a second upperframe, a second lower frame, and a second plurality of supports. Thesecond upper frame includes a second upper peripheral longitudinal barat each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame.The second lower frame includes a second lower peripheral longitudinalbar at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supportingframe. Each support in the second plurality of supports is disposedbetween and pivotally connected to the second upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the second upper frame and the second lowerperipheral longitudinal bar of the second lower frame. The second linkat each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frameincludes a second upper link and a second lower link. The second upperlink pivotally connects the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar ofthe first frame unit with the second upper peripheral longitudinal barof the second upper frame at their proximal end portions. The secondlower link pivotally connects the first lower peripheral longitudinalbar of the first frame unit with the second lower peripherallongitudinal bar of the second upper frame at their proximal endportions. The first link at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame includes a first upper link and a first lowerlink. The first upper link pivotally connects the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the first frameset with the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the secondframe unit of the second frame set. The first lower link pivotallyconnects the second lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the secondframe unit of the first frame set with the second lower peripherallongitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the second frame set.

In an exemplary embodiment, at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame, the first lower link includes a bent upperportion. When the foldable supporting frame is unfolded, the bent upperportion of the first lower link is disposed above the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the first frameset and above the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the secondframe unit of the second frame set, serving as a stopper to prevent thesecond lower frames of the second frame units of the first and secondframe sets from further rotating beyond their unfolded positions.

In an exemplary embodiment, at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame, the first upper link includes an upperportion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the first upper linkpivotally connects the second upper peripheral longitudinal bars of thesecond frame units of the first and second frame sets. The first linkfurther includes a first middle link for each of the first and secondframe sets. The first middle link has a first end portion pivotallyconnected to the lower portion of the first upper link and a second endportion pivotally connected to a middle portion of an adjacent supportof the second frame unit of the first or second frame set.

In an exemplary embodiment, at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets, the second upper link includes a bent lower portion. When thefoldable supporting frame is unfolded, the bent lower portion of thesecond upper link is disposed below the first upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the first upper frame and the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame, serving as astopper to prevent the first and second upper frames beyond theirunfolded positions from further rotating beyond their unfoldedpositions.

In an exemplary embodiment, at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets, the second lower link includes an upper portion and a lowerportion. The lower portion of the second lower link pivotally connectsthe first lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the first lower frame andthe second lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the second lower frame.The second link further includes a second middle link for each of thefirst and second frame units. The second middle link has a first endportion pivotally connected to the upper portion of the second lowerlink and a second end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion ofan adjacent support of the first or second frame unit.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second upper link of the second linkand the first lower link of the first link are substantially the same,and disposed upside down with respect to each other. The second lowerlink of the second link and the first upper link of the first link aresubstantially the same, and disposed upside down with respect to eachother.

In some exemplary embodiments, for each of the first and second framesets, the first upper frame further includes a first upper peripherallateral bar integrally formed with the first upper peripherallongitudinal bar at each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame. The first upper peripheral lateral bar and the firstupper peripheral longitudinal bar at each of the left and right sides ofthe foldable supporting frame collectively form a substantially U-shapedupper peripheral frame. Similarly, the first lower frame furtherincludes a first lower peripheral lateral bar integrally formed with thefirst lower peripheral longitudinal bar at each of the left and rightsides of the foldable supporting frame. The first lower peripherallateral bar and the first lower peripheral longitudinal bar at each ofthe left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame collectivelyform a substantially U-shaped lower peripheral frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, for each of the first and second frame sets,the first U-shaped upper and lower peripheral frames are substantiallythe same as each other. In an exemplary embodiment, for each of thefirst and second frame sets, each of the first U-shaped upper and lowerperipheral frames is made of a bent bar.

In some exemplary embodiments, at each of the left and right sides ofthe foldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets, the second upper and lower peripheral longitudinal bars aresubstantially the same as each other.

In some exemplary embodiments, at each of the left and right sides ofthe foldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets, the first lower peripheral longitudinal bar has a length differentthan that of the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar. The secondlower peripheral longitudinal bar has a length different than that ofthe second upper peripheral longitudinal bar.

In some exemplary embodiments, at each of the left and right sides ofthe foldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets, the first lower peripheral longitudinal bar has a length shorterthan that of the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar. The secondlower peripheral longitudinal bar has a length longer than that of thesecond upper peripheral longitudinal bar.

In an exemplary embodiment, at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets, the second link further includes a connecting piece for each ofthe first and second upper frames. The connecting piece is fixedlycoupled to the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the firstframe unit or the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the secondupper frame at its proximal end portion. The connecting piece is bentwith a lug to pivotally connect the second upper link. In an exemplaryembodiment, at each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame and for each of the first and second frame sets, whenthe supporting frame is folded, the second lower link is received in aspace defined by the second upper link, the connecting piece fixedlycoupled to the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the firstupper frame unit, and the connecting piece fixedly coupled to the secondupper peripheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame unit.

In some exemplary embodiments, a support in the first or secondplurality of supports includes a first segment and a second segmentcollectively forming a substantially “L” shape. In an exemplaryembodiment, the support further includes one or more third segmentsextended and bent from an edge of the first segment. The second segmentand the one or more third segments are located on the same side of thefirst segment. When the foldable supporting frame is unfolded, the oneor more third segments abut the first upper and lower peripherallongitudinal bars or abut the second upper and lower peripherallongitudinal bars.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first upper frame further includesone or more upper interior bars. The first lower frame further includesone or more lower interior bars corresponding to the one or more upperinterior bars. The first frame unit further includes one or moresupports, each disposed between and pivotally connected to a respectiveupper interior bar in the one or more upper interior bars and acorresponding lower interior bar in the one or more lower interior bars.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second upper frame further includesone or more upper interior bars. The second lower frame further includesone or more lower interior bars corresponding to the one or more upperinterior bars. The second frame unit further includes one or moresupports, each disposed between and pivotally connected to a respectiveupper interior bar in the one or more upper interior bars and acorresponding lower interior bar in the one or more lower interior bars.

The supporting frames of the present invention have other features andadvantages that will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail inthe accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and thefollowing Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certainprinciples of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of thepresent application and, together with the detailed description, serveto explain the principles and implementations of the application.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplaryfoldable supporting frame in an unfolded state in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view illustrating the exemplary foldablesupporting frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplary supportin accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken along circle A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 1 in a first partially folded state.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 1 in a second partially folded state.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 1 in a third partially folded state.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 1 in a fourth partially folded state.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 1 in a fifth partially folded state.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 1 in a sixth partially folded state.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 1 in a folded state.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view taken along circle B of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating another exemplaryfoldable supporting frame in an unfolded state in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view illustrating the exemplary foldablesupporting frame of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view taken along circle C of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 13 in a first partially folded state.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 13 in a second partially folded state.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 13 in a third partially folded state.

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 13 in a fourth partially folded state.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 13 in a fifth partially folded state.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the exemplaryfoldable supporting frame of FIG. 13 in a folded state.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view taken along circle D of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view taken along circle E of FIG. 13.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view taken along circle F of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the presentapplication as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The samereference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and thefollowing detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detaileddescription of the present application is illustrative only and is notintended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the presentapplication will readily suggest themselves to such skilled personshaving benefit of this disclosure.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in order to achievethe developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- andbusiness-related constraints, and that these specific goals will varyfrom one implementation to another and from one developer to another.Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might becomplex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure.

Many modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments set forthin this disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the embodiments, as will be apparent to those skilled in theart. The specific exemplary embodiments described herein are offered byway of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited only by theterms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalentsto which such claims are entitled.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in the context ofsupporting frames. The supporting frames can be of various sizesincluding but not limited to twin, full, queen and king sizes, and ofvarious shapes including but not limited to rectangles and squares.Also, the supporting frames can be made of various materials includingbut not limited to plastics, woods, and metals such as iron and steel.The supporting frames can be used alone or in conjunction with bedframes. For example, the supporting frames can be placed on bed frames,before placing support mattresses, cushions, box springs or the like onthe supporting frames, to increase the heights of the beds toaccommodate users' different heights or preferences.

Generally, a supporting frame of the present invention includes firstand second frames sets pivotally coupled to each other such that thefirst and second frame sets can be folded and unfolded with respect toeach other. Each of the first and second frame sets includes first andsecond frame units pivotally connected to each other such that the firstand second frame units can be folded and unfolded with respect to eachother. As such, the supporting frame of the present invention can befolded at least three times, resulting in a much smaller folded sizecomparing to conventional supporting frames. Accordingly, the supportingframes are easier and convenient to handle, carry, store and transport.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, there is depicted exemplarysupporting frame 1 a in accordance with some exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention. As shown, exemplary supporting frame 1 a includestwo frame sets such as first and second frame sets 10. The two framesets can be the same as or different from each other. In some exemplaryembodiments such as those illustrated in the figures, the first andsecond frame sets are substantially the same and disposed symmetricallywith respect to each other.

The first and second frame sets are pivotally connected to each other attheir proximal end portions by a first link such as first link 20 ateach of the left and right sides (e.g., the two longitudinal sides) ofthe foldable supporting frame. First link 20 allows the first and secondframe sets to fold and unfold with respect to each other. Each of thefirst and second frame sets includes a first frame unit such as firstframe unit 100 and a second frame unit such as second frame unit 110.First frame unit 100 and second frame unit 110 are pivotally connectedto each other at their proximal end portions by a second link such assecond link 30 at each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame. Second link 30 allows the first and second frame unitsto fold and unfold with respect to each other. As such, the foldablesupporting frame of the present invention can be folded at least threetimes, resulting in a much smaller folded size comparing to conventionalfoldable supporting frames. Accordingly, the foldable supporting frameof the present invention is easier and convenient to handle, carry,store, and transport.

As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to a relative position or arelative segment. For instance, the proximal end portion of the firstframe set is relative to the second frame set, and vice versa. In FIG.1, the proximal end portions of the first and second frame sets are inthe middle portion of the figure. The proximal end portion of firstframe unit 100 is relative to second frame unit 110, and vice versa. InFIG. 1, the proximal end portions of the first and second frame unitsare in the middle portion of each respective frame set 10.

In some exemplary embodiments, first frame unit 100 includes a firstupper frame such as first upper frame 102, a first lower frame such asfirst lower frame 104, and a first plurality of supports such as support40. Upper frame 102 can be the same as or different from lower frame104. At each of the left and right sides of the foldable supportingframe, first upper frame 102 includes first upper peripherallongitudinal bar 105, and first lower frame 104 includes first lowerperipheral longitudinal bar 106. Each support in the first plurality ofsupports is disposed between and pivotally connected to the first upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the first upper frame and the first lowerperipheral longitudinal bar of the first lower frame.

Similarly, in some exemplary embodiments, second frame unit 110 includesa second upper frame such as second upper frame 112, a second lowerframe such as second lower frame 114, and a second plurality of supportssuch as support 40. Upper frame 112 can be the same as or different fromlower frame 114. At each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame, second upper frame 112 includes second upperperipheral longitudinal bar 115, and second lower frame 114 includessecond lower peripheral longitudinal bar 116. Each support in the secondplurality of supports is disposed between and pivotally connected to thesecond upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame andthe second lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the second lower frame.In an exemplary embodiment, the second upper peripheral longitudinal barof the second upper frame and the second lower peripheral longitudinalbar of the second lower frame are substantially the same as each other.For instance, the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the secondupper frame and the second lower peripheral longitudinal bar of thesecond lower frame have substantially the same length.

First link 20 includes a first upper link such as first upper link 202and a first lower link such as first lower link 204. The first upperlink pivotally connects the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar ofthe second frame unit of the first frame set with the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the second frameset. The first lower link pivotally connects the second lower peripherallongitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the first frame set withthe second lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the second frame unit ofthe second frame set. In some exemplary embodiments, when the supportingframe is unfolded, the pivotal points at which first upper link 202pivotally connects the second upper peripheral longitudinal bars of thefirst and second frame sets are not aligned with the pivotal points atwhich first lower link 204 pivotally connects the second lowerperipheral longitudinal bars of the first and second frame sets asillustrated by dash lines “a” and “b” in FIG. 4.

In an exemplary embodiment, first lower link 204 includes a bent upperportion such as bent upper portion 206. When the foldable supportingframe is unfolded, bent upper portion 206 is disposed above the secondupper peripheral longitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the firstframe set and above the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of thesecond frame unit of the second frame set. At such a position, bentupper portion 206 serves as a stopper to prevent the second lower framesof the second frame units of the first and second frame sets fromfurther rotating beyond their unfolded positions.

In some exemplary embodiments, first upper link 202 includes an upperportion and a lower portion as illustrated in FIG. 4. The upper portionof the first upper link pivotally connects the second upper peripherallongitudinal bars of the second frame units of the first and secondframe sets. In an exemplary embodiment, first link 20 further includes afirst middle link such as first middle link 208 for each of the firstand second frame sets. The first middle link has a first end portionpivotally connected to the lower portion of first upper link 202 and asecond end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of anadjacent support 40 of the second frame unit of the first or secondframe set.

In some exemplary embodiments, for each of the first and second framesets, second link 30 includes a second upper link such as second upperlink 300 and a second lower link such as second lower link 302. Thesecond upper link pivotally connects the first upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the first frame unit with the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame at their proximalend portions. The second lower link pivotally connects the first lowerperipheral longitudinal bar of the first frame unit with the secondlower peripheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame at theirproximal end portions.

In some exemplary embodiments, for each of the first and second framesets, second upper link 300 includes a bent lower portion such as bentlower portion 306. When the foldable supporting frame is unfolded, bentlower portion 306 is disposed below the first upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the first upper frame and the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame. At such aposition, bent lower portion 306 of second link 30 serves as a stopperto prevent the first and second upper frames from further rotatingbeyond their unfolded positions. In an exemplary embodiment, secondupper link 300 of second link 30 is substantially the same as firstlower link 204 of first link 20, but disposed upside down.

In some exemplary embodiments, for each of the first and second framesets, second lower link 302 includes an upper portion and a lowerportion. The lower portion of the second lower link pivotally connectsthe first lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the first lower frame andthe second lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the second lower frame.In an exemplary embodiment, second link 30 further includes a secondmiddle link such as second middle link 304 for each of the first andsecond frame units. Second middle link 304 has a first end portionpivotally connected to the upper portion of second lower link 302 and asecond end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of anadjacent support 40 of the first or second frame unit. In an exemplaryembodiment, second lower link 302 of second link 30 is substantially thesame as first upper link 202 of first link 20, but disposed upside down.

In some exemplary embodiments, for each of the first and second framesets, first upper frame 102 further includes first upper peripherallateral bar 107, and first lower frame 104 further includes first lowerperipheral lateral bar 108. First upper peripheral lateral bar 107 isintegrally formed, for instance by bending a bar, with first upperperipheral longitudinal bar 105 at each of the left and right sides ofthe foldable supporting frame. In an exemplary embodiment, first upperperipheral lateral bar 107 and first upper peripheral longitudinal bar105 at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting framecollectively form a substantially U-shaped upper peripheral frame.Similarly, first lower peripheral lateral bar 108 is integrally formed,for instance by bending a bar, with first lower peripheral longitudinalbar 106 at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supportingframe. In an exemplary embodiment, first lower peripheral lateral bar108 and first lower peripheral longitudinal bar 106 at each of the leftand right sides of the foldable supporting frame collectively form asubstantially U-shaped lower peripheral frame. In an exemplaryembodiment, for each of the first and second frame sets, the firstU-shaped upper and lower peripheral frames are substantially the same aseach other.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is depicted an exemplary support inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown,support 40 has a first segment such as first segment 42 and a secondsegment such as second segment 44. In an exemplary embodiment, firstsegment 42 and second segment 44 collectively form a substantially “L”shape. In some exemplary embodiments, support 40 further includes one ormore third segments such as third segment 46. By way of illustration,FIGS. 3 and 4 show two third segments 46. Third segment 46 can have anysuitable length. In an exemplary embodiment, third segment 46 isextended and bent from an edge of first segment 42, and is located onthe same side as of second segment 44. The support can be disposed invarious directions as long as one of the first and second segments isconnected to the upper frame and the other of the first and secondsegments is connected to the lower frame. When the foldable supportingframe is unfolded, the one or more third segments abut the upper andlower frames to help supporting the upper frames.

Referring to FIGS. 5-11, there is depicted an exemplary process to foldthe supporting frame. First, rotate first frame unit 100 of the firstframe set in a first direction for approximately 90 degrees asillustrated in FIG. 5. During the rotation, the first upper and lowerframes of the first frame unit move toward each other and, in somecases, touch each other at the end of the rotation. Then, rotate secondframe unit 110 of the first frame set along with the first frame unit ina second direction for approximately 90 degrees as illustrated in FIG.6. During the rotation, the second upper and lower frames of the secondframe unit move toward each other and, in some cases, touch each otherat the end of the rotation. Then, fold the first frame unit of the firstframe set onto the second frame unit of the first frame set asillustrated in FIG. 7. Afterwards, rotate second frame unit 110 of thesecond frame set towards the folded first frame set 10 as illustrated inFIG. 8 until it is folded onto the first frame set 10 as illustrated inFIG. 9. Then, rotate first frame unit 100 of the second frame settowards the folded first frame set 10 and second frame unit 110 of thesecond frame set as illustrated in FIG. 10. The folded supporting frameis illustrated in FIG. 11.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first and second frame units aresubstantially the same and arranged symmetrically. In such exemplaryembodiments, when the supporting frame is folded, the pivotal points atwhich second upper links 300 pivotally connect the first and secondupper peripheral longitudinal bars of the first and second frame setsare aligned with each other as illustrated by dash line “e” in FIG. 12.In an exemplary embodiment, when the supporting frame is folded, thepivotal points at which the adjacent supports pivotally connect thefirst and second upper peripheral longitudinal bars of the first andsecond frame sets are also aligned with each other as illustrated bydash line “f” in FIG. 12.

The foldable supporting frames of the present invention can includeadditional, optional, modified, or alternative components. For instance,referring to FIGS. 13-15, there is depicted exemplary supporting frame 1b in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. Like exemplary supporting frame 1 a, exemplary supportingframe 1 b includes first and second frame sets 10 pivotally connected toeach other by first link 20 at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame. Each of the first and second frame setsincludes first frame unit 100, second frame unit 110, and second link 30at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting framepivotally connecting first frame unit 100 with second frame unit 110. Insome exemplary embodiments, first frame unit 100 includes upper frame102 and lower frame 104, and second frame unit 110 includes upper frame112 and lower frame 114.

Unlike exemplary supporting frame 1 a, in some exemplary embodiments,first lower peripheral longitudinal bar 106 of exemplary supportingframe 1 b has a length different than that of first upper peripherallongitudinal bar 105, and second lower peripheral longitudinal bar 116has a length different than that of second upper peripheral longitudinalbar 115. In an exemplary embodiment, first lower peripheral longitudinalbar 106 of exemplary supporting frame 1 b has a length shorter than thatof first upper peripheral longitudinal bar 105, and second lowerperipheral longitudinal bar 116 has a length longer than that of secondupper peripheral longitudinal bar 115. Conversely, in an exemplaryembodiment, first lower peripheral longitudinal bar 106 of exemplarysupporting frame 1 b has a length longer than that of first upperperipheral longitudinal bar 105, and second lower peripherallongitudinal bar 116 has a length shorter than that of second upperperipheral longitudinal bar 115.

In such exemplary embodiments, when the supporting frame is unfolded,the pivotal points at which second lower links 302 pivotally connect thefirst and second lower peripheral longitudinal bars are not aligned withthe pivotal points at which second upper links 300 pivotally connect thefirst and second upper peripheral longitudinal bars as illustrated bydash lines “c” and “d” in FIG. 23. In some exemplary embodiments, theupper and lower frames are configured such that when the supportingframe is folded, the pivotal points at which second lower links 302pivotally connect the first and second lower peripheral longitudinalbars are aligned with the pivotal points at which second upper links 300pivotally connect the first and second upper peripheral longitudinalbars as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 24.

Referring to FIGS. 15, 21 and 22, in some exemplary embodiments, foreach of the first and second frame sets, second link 30 further includesa connecting piece such as connecting piece 308 for each of the firstand second upper frames. Connecting piece 308 is fixedly coupled to aproximal end portion of the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar offirst frame unit 102 or a proximal end portion of the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of second upper frame 112. The connectingpiece is bent with a lug such as lug 310 to pivotally connect secondupper link 300. With respect to the first or second upper peripherallongitudinal bar, the connecting piece is bent inwardly such that whenthe supporting frame is folded, second upper link 300 and connectingpieces 308 fixedly coupled to the first and second upper peripherallongitudinal bars collectively define a space to receive second lowerlink 302.

Referring to FIGS. 16-21, there is depicted an exemplary process to foldthe supporting frame. First, rotate first and second frame sets towardeach other as illustrated in FIG. 16, until they are folded onto eachother as illustrated in FIG. 17. Then, rotate the first frame unit ofone frame set as illustrated in FIG. 18, until it is folded onto thesecond frame unit of the one frame set as illustrated in FIG. 19.Afterwards, rotate the first frame unit of the other frame set asillustrated in FIG. 20. The folded supporting frame is illustrated inFIG. 21.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13, in some exemplary embodiments, first orsecond frame unit includes additional components such as interior bars.Interior bars can be disposed either longitudinally or laterally. Forinstance, in some exemplary embodiments, first upper frame 102 furtherincludes one or more upper interior bars such as longitudinal bar 501.Corresponding to the one or more upper interior bars, first lower frame104 further includes one or more lower interior bars such aslongitudinal bar 502. In an exemplary embodiment, first frame unitfurther includes one or more supports such as support 40, each disposedbetween and pivotally connected to a respective upper interior bar inthe one or more upper interior bars and a corresponding lower interiorbar in the one or more lower interior bars.

Similarly, in some exemplary embodiments, second upper frame 112 furtherincludes one or more upper interior bars such as longitudinal bar 503.Corresponding to the one or more upper interior bars, second lower frame114 further includes one or more lower interior bars such aslongitudinal bar 504. In an exemplary embodiment, second frame unit 110further includes one or more supports such as support 40, each disposedbetween and pivotally connected to a respective upper interior bar inthe one or more upper interior bars and a corresponding lower interiorbar in the one or more lower interior bars.

As disclosed herein, the supporting frames of the present invention canbe folded at least three times, resulting in a much smaller folded size.As such, it is easy and convenient to carry, store and transport thesupporting frames of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularimplementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims.As used in the description of the implementations and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be understood that the terms “upper” or “lower”,“left” or “right”, “lateral” or “longitudinal” and etc. are used todescribe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to thepositions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will beunderstood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be usedherein to describe various elements, these elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first link could be termed a secondlink, and, similarly, a second link could be termed a first link,without changing the meaning of the description, so long as alloccurrences of the “first link” are renamed consistently and alloccurrences of the “second link” are renamed consistently.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable supporting frame, comprising: a firstframe set; a second frame set; and a first link at each of left andright sides of the foldable supporting frame to pivotally connect thefirst frame set with the second frame set, thereby allowing the firstand second frame sets to fold and unfold with respect to each other,wherein each of the first and second frame sets comprises: a first frameunit; a second frame unit; and a second link at each of the left andright sides of the foldable supporting frame to pivotally connect thefirst frame unit with the second frame unit, thereby allowing the firstand second frame units to fold and unfold with respect to each other. 2.The foldable supporting frame of claim 1, wherein the first and secondframe sets are substantially the same and disposed symmetrically withrespect to each other.
 3. The foldable supporting frame of claim 1,wherein: the first frame unit comprises a first upper frame, a firstlower frame, and a first plurality of supports, wherein the first upperframe comprises a first upper peripheral longitudinal bar at each of theleft and right sides of the foldable supporting frame; the first lowerframe comprises a first lower peripheral longitudinal bar at each of theleft and right sides of the foldable supporting frame; and each supportin the first plurality of supports is disposed between and pivotallyconnected to the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the firstupper frame and the first lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the firstlower frame; the second frame unit comprises a second upper frame, asecond lower frame, and a second plurality of supports, wherein thesecond upper frame comprises a second upper peripheral longitudinal barat each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame;the second lower frame comprises a second lower peripheral longitudinalbar at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supportingframe; and each support in the second plurality of supports is disposedbetween and pivotally connected to the second upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the second upper frame and the second lowerperipheral longitudinal bar of the second lower frame; the second linkat each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting framecomprises a second upper link and a second lower link, wherein thesecond upper link pivotally connects the first upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the first frame unit with the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame at proximal endportions thereof; and the second lower link pivotally connects the firstlower peripheral longitudinal bar of the first frame unit with thesecond lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame atproximal end portions thereof; and the first link at each of the leftand right sides of the foldable supporting frame comprises a first upperlink and a first lower link, wherein the first upper link pivotallyconnects the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the secondframe unit of the first frame set with the second upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the second frame set; andthe first lower link pivotally connects the second lower peripherallongitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the first frame set withthe second lower peripheral longitudinal bar of the second frame unit ofthe second frame set.
 4. The foldable supporting frame of claim 3,wherein at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supportingframe, the first lower link comprises a bent upper portion, wherein whenthe foldable supporting frame is unfolded, the bent upper portion of thefirst lower link is disposed above the second upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the second frame unit of the first frame set andabove the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of the second frameunit of the second frame set, serving as a stopper to prevent the secondlower frames of the second frame units of the first and second framesets beyond their unfolded positions from further rotating beyond theirunfolded positions.
 5. The foldable supporting frame of claim 3, whereinat each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame,the first upper link comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, theupper portion of the first upper link pivotally connects the secondupper peripheral longitudinal bars of the second frame units of thefirst and second frame sets, wherein the first link further comprises: afirst middle link for each of the first and second frame sets, whereinthe first middle link has a first end portion pivotally connected to thelower portion of the first upper link and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to a middle portion of an adjacent support of the second frameunit of the first or second frame set.
 6. The foldable supporting frameof claim 3, wherein at each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame and for each of the first and second frame sets, thesecond upper link comprises a bent lower portion, wherein when thefoldable supporting frame is unfolded, the bent lower portion of thesecond upper link is disposed below the first upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the first upper frame and the second upperperipheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame, serving as astopper to prevent the first and second upper frames beyond theirunfolded positions from further rotating beyond their unfoldedpositions.
 7. The foldable supporting frame of claim 3, wherein at eachof the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame and foreach of the first and second frame sets, the second lower link comprisesan upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of the secondlower link pivotally connects the first lower peripheral longitudinalbar of the first lower frame and the second lower peripherallongitudinal bar of the second lower frame, wherein the second linkfurther comprises: a second middle link for each of the first and secondframe units, wherein the second middle link has a first end portionpivotally connected to the upper portion of the second lower link and asecond end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of anadjacent support of the first or second frame unit.
 8. The foldablesupporting frame of claim 3, wherein: the second upper link of thesecond link and the first lower link of the first link are substantiallythe same, and disposed upside down with respect to each other; and thesecond lower link of the second link and the first upper link of thefirst link are substantially the same, and disposed upside down withrespect to each other.
 9. The foldable supporting frame of claim 3,wherein for each of the first and second frame sets: the first upperframe further comprises a first upper peripheral lateral bar integrallyformed with the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar at each of theleft and right sides of the foldable supporting frame, wherein the firstupper peripheral lateral bar and the first upper peripheral longitudinalbar at each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting framecollectively form a substantially U-shaped upper peripheral frame; andthe first lower frame further comprises a first lower peripheral lateralbar integrally formed with the first lower peripheral longitudinal barat each of the left and right sides of the foldable supporting frame,wherein the first lower peripheral lateral bar and the first lowerperipheral longitudinal bar at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame collectively form a substantially U-shapedlower peripheral frame.
 10. The foldable supporting frame of claim 9,wherein for each of the first and second frame sets, the first U-shapedupper and lower peripheral frames are substantially the same as eachother.
 11. The foldable supporting frame of claim 9, wherein for each ofthe first and second frame sets, each of the first U-shaped upper andlower peripheral frames is made of a bent bar.
 12. The foldablesupporting frame of claim 3, wherein at each of the left and right sidesof the foldable supporting frame and for each of the first and secondframe sets, the second upper and lower peripheral longitudinal bars aresubstantially the same as each other.
 13. The foldable supporting frameof claim 3, wherein at each of the left and right sides of the foldablesupporting frame and for each of the first and second frame sets: thefirst lower peripheral longitudinal bar has a length different than thatof the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar; and the second lowerperipheral longitudinal bar has a length different than that of thesecond upper peripheral longitudinal bar.
 14. The foldable supportingframe of claim 3, wherein at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets: the first lower peripheral longitudinal bar has a length shorterthan that of the first upper peripheral longitudinal bar; and the secondlower peripheral longitudinal bar has a length longer than that of thesecond upper peripheral longitudinal bar.
 15. The foldable supportingframe of claim 14, wherein at each of the left and right sides of thefoldable supporting frame and for each of the first and second framesets, the second link further comprises: a connecting piece for each ofthe first and second upper frames, and fixedly coupled to the firstupper peripheral longitudinal bar of the first frame unit or the secondupper peripheral longitudinal bar of the second upper frame at theproximal end portion thereof, wherein the connecting piece is bent witha lug to pivotally connect the second upper link.
 16. The foldablesupporting frame of claim 15, wherein at each of the left and rightsides of the foldable supporting frame and for each of the first andsecond frame sets, when the foldable supporting frame is folded, thesecond lower link is received in a space defined by the second upperlink, the connecting piece fixedly coupled to the first upper peripherallongitudinal bar of the first upper frame unit, and the connecting piecefixedly coupled to the second upper peripheral longitudinal bar of thesecond upper frame unit.
 17. The foldable supporting frame of claim 3,wherein a support in the first or second plurality of supports comprisesa first segment and a second segment collectively forming asubstantially “L” shape.
 18. The foldable supporting frame of claim 17,wherein the support further comprises one or more third segmentsextended and bent from an edge of the first segment, wherein the secondsegment and the one or more third segments are located on the same sideof the first segment, wherein the one or more third segments abut thefirst upper and lower peripheral longitudinal bars or abut the secondupper and lower peripheral longitudinal bars when the foldablesupporting frame is unfolded.
 19. The foldable supporting frame of claim3, wherein: the first upper frame further comprises one or more upperinterior bars; the first lower frame further comprises one or more lowerinterior bars corresponding to the one or more upper interior bars; andthe first frame unit further comprises one or more supports, eachdisposed between and pivotally connected to a respective upper interiorbar in the one or more upper interior bars and a corresponding lowerinterior bar in the one or more lower interior bars.
 20. The foldablesupporting frame of claim 3, wherein: the second upper frame furthercomprises one or more upper interior bars; the second lower framefurther comprises one or more lower interior bars corresponding to theone or more upper interior bars; and the second frame unit furthercomprises one or more supports, each disposed between and pivotallyconnected to a respective upper interior bar in the one or more upperinterior bars and a corresponding lower interior bar in the one or morelower interior bars.